Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
June 12, 2012

Walnut Grove, Missouri driver Jeremy Kelley’s consistent finishes this season, which now include five straight top-four finishes are certainly impressive, but what is even more impressive is the fact his race equipment still looks like it did when he began the season. Kelley’s patient driving style, calm demeanor, and wise decision-making skills have placed him at the front of the field and crossing the finish line as a threat to win in every race he has competed in this year. Proving that in the end, to finish first, first you must finish!

Kelley can now add a visit to victory lane to his totals after claiming his first win of the season last weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway, his first ULMA win since August 2010. If he keeps posting consistent finishes like this and he is able or decides to garner 15 starts for the year, he will definitely be a contender for the 2012 ULMA title.

Another large car count awaited fans at Lucas Oil Speedway last weekend as 28 competitors checked in. Three packed heat races and one b-main event determined the drivers making the grid for the 20-lap feature race. J.D. Hubert and Kelley, who advanced from third to first in his heat race, ran strong to secure solid starting spots for the feature race. Harlen Kennedy showed the way in the b-main and along with seven other drivers, transferred to the a-main.

With strong car counts and talented drivers on hand, fans expect to see quality events from the ULMA late models. Saturday’s main event featured outstanding racing when the green light was illuminated but unfortunately a super speedway style “big one” marred the race on lap six. After contact between the fourth and fifth place cars of Brandon Imhoff and Chris Morelock, a multicar pileup ensured in turn three involving Imhoff, Morelock, Jason Russell, Chris Hawkins, Harlen Kennedy, Mike Berger, and Phil Edmondson. After some very tense moments passed awaiting the word on driver conditions, officials received word that all drivers were alert and moving on their own. Edmondson was reportedly knocked unconscious for a short time while Kennedy received a severe hand injury. After a long red-flag delay, racing continued with Kelley leading.

Just one lap after the big one, another spinning car, and then debris slowed the field once more as Kelley maintained his lead over fellow ULMA member drivers J.D. Hubert, Jon Binning, Evan Hubert, and Joe Walkenhorst. Evan Hubert eventually took his car to the fourth position as Kelley pulled away from the Hubert Brothers and Binning. One final caution slowed the race but it wasn’t enough to keep Kelley from cruising to the victory, his fourth overall ULMA victory since 2010. J.D. Hubert, Evan Hubert and Jon Binning finished inside the top five with Walkenhorst, Tommy Cordray, Jimmy Morris, Zeke Langley and Chris Morelock, posting top ten finishes. Another night of weekly racing takes place this Saturday. Visit the track’s website at www.lucasoilspeedway.com for additional information.

Friday action at Callaway Raceway featured one driver winning in three different classes, a feat rarely accomplished at one track, on one night. Thirteen drivers competed in two qualifying heat races. Jason Russell bested Darren Turner in the opening heat with Brandon Imhoff claiming the win over Todd McCoin in heat race number two. Before the night’s action began, ULMA officials conducted technical inspections on all cars, inspections also occurred after heat races and the main event. Cars were declared compliant and within regulations after a few minor adjustments were made.

Brandon Imhoff and Jason Russell started at the front for the feature event with Russell assuming command on a track surface that quickly went dry-slick as the evening progressed. Imhoff ran a solid second with McCoin and Turner inside the top five. Russell increased his lead throughout the event and built up a sizable lead. In the end, Russell claimed his association-leading fourth ULMA feature win of the year and third at Callaway Raceways. Nonmember Chris Lapp pulled up to claim second over Brandon Imhoff at the finish with Turner and McCoin rounding out the top five. Zeke Langley, Walt Imhoff, and Chris Cox finished inside the top ten to represent ULMA members. Earlier in the night, Jason Russell claimed feature race victories in the Sportsmen and UMP Modified divisions to go three for three in wins.

After talking directly with Callaway Raceways track owner and promoter Betty Atterberry, ULMA officials learned that she would raise the late model purse during the annual Triple Crown Shootout (TCS). The Callaway Raceways portion of the TCS takes place on Friday, June 29. If the full purse is shared with ULMA, we will post the information, for now we do know the race will pay $650 to win. Be sure to visit the track online at www.callawayraceways.com for event details, start times, and directions. Callaway Raceways is back in action again this weekend for another night of Friday racing.

There are plenty of points-earning opportunities this weekend, including this Friday during the third appearance by ULMA late models competing with MLRA competitors. This weekend’s event takes place at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri. ULMA will award full points for drivers competing in ULMA legal cars. Two weeks ago, ULMA cars made up 40 percent of the total car count at LA Raceway for the MLRA race and we are expecting strong car counts at Valley Speedway this Friday because the smaller track will likely produce close competition.

Two ULMA drivers will earn provisional starting positions in the MLRA main event if they do not transfer to the main through normal qualifying procedures. The highest in Valley Speedway late model track points not transferred in will earn one position while the other will go to the highest in current ULMA overall standings that does not transfer into the main event. This event serves as a tune-up for ULMA competitors as they will return to the speedway the following week for one of their regularly scheduled Friday appearances. Start times, car classes, and directions to the speedway located in Grain Valley, Missouri, may be found at www.valleyspeedway.com. Drivers are subject to ULMA rules at all times.

Recent events have led ULMA officials to revise general race rules. Areas under revision include new progressive driving penalties for rough driving called by an affiliated track or designated ULMA official. Further violations will lead to loss of a driver’s three highest points-earning finishes to date, while additional incidents will result in loss of a driver’s five (or more) highest points-earning finishes of the year. While the revisions are still under review, the final revisions will mirror what is described here. Sadly, drivers have suffered mild concussions, hand injuries, and major car damage as a result of questionable driving habits. ULMA will stand firm on its decisions and the decisions of affiliated tracks when it comes to disciplinary action. It is not worth a driver losing the respect and credibility of his/her peers to continue dangerous driving tactics. Actions by crew personnel will also be the responsibility of drivers. Retaliatory driving endangers the lives of those competing and this announcement serves as a stern warning to use sound judgment when competing in ULMA events.

The annual ‘Triple Crown Shootout’ is fast-approaching, an event in which drivers compete in a three-race mini points-earning series for additional prize money. Competing drivers have the following race options to garner three starts out of the four available races from Friday to Sunday. Friday, June 29th at Callaway Raceway for $650 to win; Friday, June 29th at Valley Speedway for $600 to win; Saturday, June 30th at Lucas Oil Speedway for $1,000 to win; and Sunday, July 1st at Double X Speedway in California, Mo for $750 to win. The Double XX Speedway event is sponsored by Bonecutter Body Shop of California. Drivers not familiar with the speedway have a chance to feel out the track this Sunday, June 17 during a ULMA points-earning event leading up to the TCS. Check out Double X Speedway online at www.xxspeedway.com. Triple Crown Shootout information and entry forms may be found at www.ulmaracing.com. ULMA will send out the updated point standings at a later date this week.

ULMA’s title sponsor is Lucas Cattle Company. Contingency sponsors are Rod End Supply and Buyraceparts.com. Affiliate sponsors include Imhoff Construction, Bone Cutter Body Shop, PhotoGraphics by Shelly Payne, General Fence LLC, and Midland Printing. ULMA is a proud supporter of Homes for Our Troops. To join the team, or to request an addition to ULMA’s email group, send your request to unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. Visit the association’s website for schedule of events, race history, results, points, and much more at www.ulmaracing.com or like ULMA on Facebook.

Upcoming ULMA Races:
Friday, June 15th – Callaway Raceway, Fulton Mo
Friday, June 15th – Valley Speedway (2 ULMA Provisional starting spots awarded during MLRA race)
Saturday, June 16th – Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland Mo
Sunday, June 17th – Double X Speedway, California Mo (ULMA points-earning event)
Friday, June 22nd – Callaway Raceway, Fulton Mo
Friday, June 22nd – Valley Speedway, Grain Valley
Friday, June 22nd – Callaway Raceway
Friday, June 22nd – Valley Speedway
*Friday, June 29th – Callaway Raceway, $650 to win
*Friday, June 29th – Valley Speedway, $600 to win (normal purse)
*Saturday, June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway, $1,000 to win
*Sunday, July 1st – Double X Speedway, California Mo, $750 to win

*Triple Crown Shootout Event